Girmay returns to form
Girmay was the best of the riders in a reduced sprint at the end of the 160 km course from Segorbe to Torreblanca. He began his move from distance on the long straight to the line and was nearly caught by Arne Marit (Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe), who was gaining on him with every pedal stroke, but came up short. Giovanni Lonardi (Polti VisitMalta) finished third.
The victory represented a welcome return to form for the 2024 Tour de France green jersey winner, who was winless in 2025 and whose last victory came on July 10, 2024, in stage 10 of that Tour. “I struggled last year, and got second many times, but it was not enough,” Girmay said afterwards. “I’m just super-happy, motivated and looking forward to 2026. It’s great to be back.”
He went on to say, “This is just my second time in a race lead, and being in the lead here in Valenciana gives me good memories.” He also won the opening stage of the 2023 edition of this race and led that race for one day, as will certainly be the case again this year. Stage 2 of this Valenciana is a time trial for which the big favourite is the three-time world time trial champion, Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull –BORA–hansgrohe).
Girmay joined NSN Cycling at the end of last year, after his former team, Intermarché-Wanty, merged with another Belgian team, Lotto, to form Lotto Intermarché. NSN Racing is the new iteration of the former Israel–Premier Tech, which left the sport after pro-Palestinian protests disrupted last year’s Vuelta because of the team’s ties to Israel. It was NSN Cycling’s second win of the year, after Ethan Vernon’s victory in a stage of the Tour Down Under.
Girmay thanked his teammates for being able to control Red Bull’s attempts to steal a march on the sprinters by attacking on the only climb of the stage, the Puerto de los Madroños (4.5 km @ 4%) and then sending the promising 22-year-old Giulio Pellizzari on a solo break with about 18 km left to ride.
“To be honest, they surprised us on the climb,” Girmay said. “But I was in a good position, and we managed to have someone in the front to keep an eye on what’s going on. Pellizzari was super-strong; he had 20 seconds ‘til the last kilometre, but thanks to my teammates bringing him back, we managed to catch him and win. So this victory is for them.”
An unfortunate start to 2026 for Pedersen
As for the unlucky Pedersen, his teammate Bauke Mollema described the crash on social media. “One of those days I won’t miss when I’m done,” the soon retiring Mollema wrote. “A fresh and nervous peloton, and then a big high-speed crash just before the final climb – with Pedersen involved. Get well soon, boys.”
It’s unclear how long the popular Dane will be sidelined. He was scheduled to ride Milan-Sanremo, the E3 Saxo Classic, In Flanders Fields, the Dwars door Vlaanderen, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in the spring. The team has not yet announced a revised race schedule for him, saying on social media, “The team’s first priority is to ensure Mads gets the best care possible and the immediate focus will be on a successful recovery to minimise the disruption to his season goals.”
Pedersen will certainly be missed by cycling fans who love his courage and his aggressive style and by Lidl-Trek, which added Juan Ayuso and Derek Gee-West to its squad this year and is no doubt expecting a breakthrough season. The 30-year-old Pedersen, who has 60 wins in his career, is an essential part of the team’s ambitions.
